Aggression
Dog Aggression Training
Summerville Families Trust for Lasting Calm
Growls, lunges, and bite scares can drain the joy from daily walks. Activate Canine’s three-tier aggression & reactivity program replaces fear with focus, backed by unlimited lifetime refreshers and Summerville’s smallest trainer-to-dog ratio.
Why Act Now?
Dog bites send 334,000 Americans to the ER every year; many incidents start as mild leash reactivity that owners hope will fade on its own. Early intervention prevents those habits from crystalizing into true aggression—and owner follow-through is the #1 predictor of success.
Choose Your Rehabilitation Track
Reset-Lite
Track- Days: 14
- Key Goals: Interrupt low-level barking & lunging; teach focus games
- Ideal For: Dogs that bark at bikes, strollers
Reset Plus
Track- Days: 21-28
- Key Goals: Desensitize moderate reactivity; intro basket-muzzle comfort
- Ideal For: Dogs that snap within leash-length
Rehab Intensive
Track- Days: 35 days
- Key Goals: Full BAT protocol; Kodak neutral helper; owner field trips
- Ideal For: Bite-history or multi-dog fights
Note:
*Exact pricing finalized during your free phone consult.
All tracks include two recorded owner lessons, guided muzzle fitting, and lifetime follow-ups as long as you practice the homework.
Our Balanced & Humane Toolbox
Rewards First
High-value treats or praise start every behavior; stressed dogs often refuse food at first, so we also use calm verbal encouragement.
Low-Level E-Collar Pairing
We use the ecollar to hold the dog accountable but first we start by teaching your dog how the ecollar works. Every dog that we have trained on the ecollar enjoys getting their collars on in the morning because it is a positive tool to the dog and it means something good is going to happen!
BAT & Counter-Conditioning
Behavior Adjustment Training lets dogs choose calmer responses at safe distances.
No Cruel
Methods
We use a balanced training approach combining positive and negative reinforcement without force to clearly communicate expectations and build trust and respect between trainer, handler, and dog.
A Typical Training Day
Breakfast & Play Social
We begin with a relaxed breakfast followed by supervised play, letting each dog burn off energy and settle in before work starts.
Structured Walks
Next comes a series of purposeful walks where we reinforce leash manners, practice calm greetings, and expose dogs to real-world distractions at a pace they can handle.
Focused Skill Sessions
Throughout the day, we run short, upbeat training blocks that target each dog’s individual goals whether that’s recall, impulse control, or polite door behavior.
“Dogs Being Dogs… with Manners” Time
Between lessons, dogs enjoy free play or quiet rest depending on their needs. We use these moments to reward good choices and gently guide better ones.
Dog-Parent FAQ
During our lessons, we help establish that shift before we leave your dog home with you. There are so many ways to implement your dog’s new training into your everyday life to give him a task/job while you continue doing what you need to do.
Can all aggression be “cured”?
True aggression and not mistaken reactivity, can be managed at times depending on the severity, genetics play a roll, and the handler at the end of the leash. True aggression may need lifelong protocols.
Won’t an e-collar make my dog angrier?
If the e-collar is taught and used properly, it will never make your dog angry. We train the ecollar over the course of the training, and every dog is excited to wake up and put their collar on. We make sure that the owners know how to maintain this tool in a positive manner for the dog.
Why insist on muzzle training?
Muzzle training is a great tool for many reasons, but here are the top two.
- It can lower the stress of the owner if they know their dog cannot bite someone who has previously displayed this behavior
- This, in turn, will lower the stress of the dog because their handler isn’t stressed.
Ultimately, it is for the safety of your dog, veterinarians, guests walking into your house, groomers, etc. If the muzzle is taught to the dog properly and positively, the dog will enjoy putting on the muzzle.
Do I have to keep training after the program?
Yes, it is a must to stay consistent with your dog’s training when they come. Once your dog comes home from training, it is crucial to maintain the set boundaries so that you and your dog do not fall back into the old routine.
Health & Scheduling Basics
Rabies & Bordetella vaccines plus flea prevention are required before intake.
Board-and-train dates secured with a 25 % deposit; private lessons may be rescheduled once with 72-hour notice. Service area: 25-mile radius of Summerville.